THE class finally came to an end with the lecturer’s long, dragging dismissal remark.

“Before you all leave,” he said, adjusting his glasses, “Xaniyah, make sure you give Akeem your full name so he can add it to the list.”

She barely heard the words. In fact, she had been dozing off again when he called her name, and that was what snapped her awake. Her head jerked up.

“Yes, sir,” she murmured with a quick nod.

The class had been unbearably dull. The lecturer, whom she ...